If you’ve taken a trip to the garage for some vehicle repairs, you might have a few things on your mind. There are circumstances where the garage can refuse the return to you. This might be a stressful thought, but we’re here to put your mind at ease. It’s very rare that this has to happen. Here’s some more information on why your car might have been kept by the garage.
You Haven’t Paid For Your Vehicle Repairs
If you’ve taken your car to the garage and had work done, you need to pay for it. If you can’t pay or refuse to pay, the garage has a right to keep the vehicle under a law known as ‘lien’. This ensures that customers pay, as otherwise the garage could be seriously out of pocket.
If you manage to take your car away without paying, the garage has the right to prosecute you. This even applies to work that you’re not satisfied with. You should always try to resolve any disputes with the garage, even if it means paying the bill ‘under protest’ and pursuing the complaint afterwards.
There are some occasions where the work that your car needs is far more expensive than you expected. If the work is essential but not in your budget, speak to the garage. They may have finance options, or they could find a workaround that will allow you to get the work done in a pocket-friendly way.
Your Car Is Unsafe
You may have taken your car to the garage expecting it to have some minor faults. If the garage has found that the vehicle is dangerous to drive, you might be worried that they’ll hold it until you’ve paid for repairs. While the garage’s responsibility is to inform you that the vehicle is not safe to drive, they don’t have a right to withhold it from you.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this means you can drive an unsafe vehicle without consequence. If you’ve refused to get necessary vehicle repairs and end up causing an accident, you’ll be liable and the garage will have a record that you knowingly drove an unsafe vehicle.
Your Car Failed Its MOT
When a car fails its MOT, it can’t legally be driven until the vehicle repairs for dangerous problems have been done. This can make it seem as though the garage has a legal right to keep your car, but they actually don’t. However, it’s pretty difficult for you to move the vehicle legally.
When a car fails its MOT, it can’t legally be driven until the vehicle repairs for dangerous problems have been done. This can make it seem as though the garage has a legal right to keep your car, but they actually don’t. However, it’s pretty difficult for you to move the vehicle legally.
For Vehicle Repairs, Choose Darglen Motors
We offer an extensive range of services, including vehicle repairs. We’ll get your car fixed and back on the road in no time. Give us a call today to book your vehicle services.
